ALBUQUERQUE - Gov. Bill Richardson said that current plans for a proposed coal-fired power plant in the Four Corners area would be a step in the wrong direction.

Richardson said that according to an analysis by the state Environment Department, the Desert Rock Energy Project would harm air quality and scarce water resources and exacerbate existing environmental problems.

He also complained that a draft environmental impact statement did not adequately address some of the state's concerns. The Environment Department has outlined those concerns in comments to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he said.

The proposed 1,500-megawatt power plant, a joint venture between Houston-based Sithe Global Power and the Navajo Nation's Dine Power Authority, would be the third coal-fired plant in northwest New Mexico's San Juan County.

DPA and Sithe have touted Desert Rock as one of the cleanest coal-burning plants in the country and a much-needed source of jobs and tax revenue for the Navajo Nation. But some Navajos and environmentalists argue it would harm the environment and residents' health.

Richardson's comments came several days after a government watchdog group, Break the Grip, which was formed by a clean energy advocate, complained that the governor had been "strangely silent" on the power plant.

Richardson said his administration will enter into formal discussions with the Navajo tribe to ensure the state's concerns are considered.

"Each new conventional coal plant built without significant carbon dioxide controls is a step backwards and does not move us toward a future of more safe and efficient energy use," said Richardson, who has been promoting renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gases in his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Frank Maisano, a spokesman for the Desert Rock Energy Co., responded: "I understand that the governor is running for president and we also understand he has taken a pretty aggressive stance on climate change and global warming.

"But the reality is if you want to reduce emissions, then technology like Desert Rock is what we must do. The technology is way more efficient and way cleaner than the current emissions that are at current coal plants. If we want to reduce emissions, we should have more Desert Rocks."

Spokesmen for the Sierra Club New Mexico, the San Juan Citizens Alliance and Dine Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment praised Richardson's statements.

"Now that the governor has so clearly renounced Desert Rock, we call on him to work with state senators and representatives to assist the Navajo Nation in finding an alternative for such an ill-advised project," said Mike Eisenfeld of the citizens alliance.

Richardson said the nation needs to move toward new carbon capture ready technologies for electrical generation, "not back to the old dirty coal plants of the past," he said.

"The estimated 12 million tons of carbon dioxide emitted each year from the Desert Rock energy facility would increase New Mexico greenhouse gas emissions by about 15 percent," making the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals difficult, if not impossible, to meet, said Richardson.

Maisano said there's a huge need for electricity in the area.

"The solution to addressing climate change is through efficiency, and by improving efficiency you improve the emissions by 20 percent," he said. "At the same time, you virtually eliminate pollution that creates regional haze, you dramatically reduce mercury and you dramatically reduce water use - all huge priorities for New Mexico."

Maisano said jobs for Navajos are just as important.

"In reality, Desert Rock is solving two issues responsibly. Unfortunately, that doesn't get reflected in campaign slogans, and it doesn't get reflected in efforts by folks who are only focused on global warming," he said.

On the Net:

Navajo Nation: http://www.navajo.org

Dine CARE: http://dinecare.indigenousnative.org/

Desert Rock Energy Project: http://www.desertrockenergy.com/